ABC Luton

ritzboy on January 31, 2026 at 12:23 pm

I have commented that the Ritz and ABC cinemas in Luton and Chatham were similar. Very different externally but their auditoria were similar even to the number of seats. Chatham Ritz became a bingo hall and the ABC was tripled. The 35/70 mm projectors were craned over the road from the Ritz to ABC 2, again, as Keithmockett reports, Luton ABC 2 had 70mm. I will probably think of more similarities but to end this comment, the two Chatham cinemas were close to a part of Chatham known as Luton. I’m glad Keithmockett enjoyed the two Luton cinemas as much as I enjoyed the two in Chatham.

Biffaskin on May 13, 2021 at 1:38 pm

At least it got rebranded back to an ABC prior to closure. Professional until the end, the showmanship was great, as were all the friendly staff. I travelled down from Daventry to go here, as all there were in Northampton or Rugby nearby are soul-less multiplexes. A sad loss for Luton this closure.

Ian Grundy on September 27, 2010 at 1:43 am

The above shot is the ABC – another 1988 view here:–

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/5028623975/

Keithmockett on May 19, 2004 at 1:23 am

I have fond memories of many visits to the ABC Savoy (as it was known when I was a child). In the 1960’s it was one of two ABC Cinemas in Luton – the other was the ABC Ritz in Gordon Street. I think the tripling was significant because it was one of the first (?) and unlike later subdivisions the building was gutted and three distinct auditoria were created (not like the “cheaper” and more common practice of dropping a wall from the front of the circle and making two auditoria out of the space underaneath as in the Odeon at Luton and many other locations!). Architecturally the three auditoria were pretty much featureless. At the time of opening as a triple, Screen 2 had 70mm facilities. Screen 1 was upgraded to Dolby Stereo in 1984.